The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-15
Averry Chapel.

The Rev. ii. A. Jones preached q
sermon, by invitation, to.a very large
congregation at Avery Chapel lsst
night from Matthew viii. 2s "a. The
theme was "Ossti,g oat Devils"
There are three accounts Of THE won
derful miracle recorded by the evan.
gelists, each varying In description,
yet substantially the same. Matthew
peaks OF two men, Mark OF one.
There is no discrepancy here, because
doubtless the one name life extended
beyond the healing power OF Christ 10
become q follower into the deeper
mysteries Of his grace. Our Lore had
crossed the Sea OF Gallilee, and Ia ia
passage he had stilled the raging Of ia
waves by his simple word. As he
passes up the shore he enters q rocky
gorge that had been used for ages AZ
q burial place. The surface OF the
rock was honeyoombed with caves,
which had been used Tor generations
a. q budal place for the dead. |, was
q dark ,uncanny platc, q charnsl house,
indeed, away from the abols OF living
men, the lurking pla,e OF Wild beas 9
and reptilea AZ he passed up the
gorge he was confronted by two
men who had their dwelling place
among tbs tombs; and no man could
bind them, no not with chains; be.
cause they had been often bouud with
Letters aad with chaint, and the
chains bad been plucked seuudsr BY
them, aud the letters broken In
pieces neither could any man tame
them, End always, day and nigst,
they were In the mountains ana In
the tombs, crying and cutting
themselves with siones." IL was an
appalling eight, but Jesus saw In them
the ruins oil their former selves, and
they pass through q wonderful trans
formation. They were posssssed with
deyils--they are restored. They we're
In rags-they are clothed. Their
awful home was changed 10 q place al
Jesus's feet. Their horrid crying was
changed 10 gospel preaching through.
out that region. We do not attempt
TO explain diabollcal possession, but
the demoniaeal possession OF men 20.
day Ia not 20 extraordinary.
Thee divine records OF incl.
dents Of long ago are not out.
dated. In these men we see what
man may become. The devils of
pride, envy, malice, ferocious passions,
lust, drunkenness aud brutality poe.
ssss men now, and We have but "a
"trip them OF their modern garb and
surroundings, and You have the
scenes Of Gadara illustrated In the
nineteenth century.
III. The devils plead; "Let us alone
art thou come ~ torment us before
our timer They acknowledge the
power OF Jesus, yet they set up their
claim 10 the possession OF these men.
How true this Ia todayl
l. Men who follow q business that
dSgrades society.
2. Men who use the giits Of scholar.
ship o. ReniuI for base and sordid
ends.
8. Men who follow unlawial yoea.
llonA
a, :, Men sI,n. who allure the you g and
8, Men who live in filthy Al d de.
graded conditions.
y. Men who are engaged 10 the sale
OF intoxicating drinks, that debauoh
the individual and curse society, all
unite In crying, "Let us alone"
Jesu, came into the world 10 DESTROY
the works OF the devil. He recognlE ned
no liberty 10 be, or 10 do evil. Hls
In this world was 10 bless. /.
was q mission OF love-to seek and
10 save that which was lost Hs left
ne His example, that we should follow
In HIS steps, and in every movement
now on foot 10 uproot error, 10 destroy
lhe power Of evil, 20 raise the fallen,
10 cheer the faint, 10 elevate our race,
10 struggle In the solid ranks Of truth,
10 clutch the giant error BY the throat,
10 blot the era Of oppression out,
Ahd lead q universaI freedom In"
We are bat doing wha, 4, Is our